Breakthrough [Seeking Collection and Recommendation Tickets!]

Claire reached out and ruffled Melly's hair. "Why are you working here?"

"Grandpa Regan said Melly could be a little maid and gave me food," Melly said earnestly.

Claire glanced back at Regan.

Regan, usually mature and composed, seemed a little flustered. "Young master... can she work in the Viscount's mansion?"

Melly looked up at Claire with wide, expectant eyes. "Big Brother..."

Claire felt a mix of amusement and exasperation. Do they think I'm that heartless?

"It's not like we're short a meal. Melly doesn't have to work. Come play anytime you want."

"No way!" Melly shook her head like a rattle. "Mom said I can't accept favors for no reason. Melly can work for herself. Big Brother, look how clean I've made the floor."

"Alright," Claire pursed her lips and whispered to Regan, "Have her do less work, just enough to show she's contributing."

"Yes, yes," Regan nodded repeatedly.

"Um, um!" Melly raised her small, chubby hand again.

"What is it?"

"After Melly finishes her work, can she go play with Yuna?"

"Of course," Claire asked, "Did you tell your parents you're here?"

"Not yet..." Melly's voice was as faint as a mosquito's hum.

"Regan, please go inform her parents that she's here so they don't worry. And while you're at it, call Knight Captain Hant over." Claire decided against going to the barracks herself; it would be easier to have Hant come to her.

After all, she was a Viscount, and it was perfectly normal for her subordinate to come over.

"Yes, my lady!" Regan placed his right hand over his heart and bowed slightly.

After Regan left, Claire patted Melly's head. "Go play with Yuna."

"But... Melly hasn't finished her work," Melly said, clutching the rag and looking at the unfinished floor.

"It's fine, you can finish wiping it after you're done playing," Claire wasn't some capitalist who exploited child labor.

Melly still hesitated. Claire added, "Don't worry, I'll help you cover for it with Regan. Go play."

"No way!" Melly declared, shaking her head with determination. "Melly will finish her work before playing!" She didn't want to betray Grandpa Regan's trust. She had finally gotten a job as a maid in the Viscount's mansion and couldn't leave a bad impression.

Claire was a little surprised but didn't insist. "Then do your best. Once you finish this section, you can go play with Yuna."

"Okay!" Melly cheered herself on.

On his way over, Hant was puzzled. He didn't understand why he was being summoned by the Lord while training was in progress.

However, Hant immediately handed over the training tasks to the three Apprentice Knight team members and rushed over without delay.

Entering the living room, he saw a little girl with her backside sticking out, pushing her legs as she wiped the floor. Upon closer inspection, he realized it was Kellan's sister, who had visited the barracks with the Lord yesterday.

"Are you here to see Big Brother?" Melly asked with wide eyes.

"Yes, the Lord summoned me."

"Big Brother is in the conference room."

"Thank you!" Hant replied, and just as he was about to walk forward, Melly called out to him again.

"Um... can you walk on your tiptoes? Melly worked hard to clean that spot," Melly pleaded.

"Ah..." Hant glanced at the gleaming floor and scratched his head. He decided to take off his shoes and carry them as he walked over.

Melly, standing nearby, breathed a sigh of relief. If he had just stepped on it, she would have had to wipe it again, and who knew when she'd get to play with Yuna.

Arriving at the conference room door, Hant nervously adjusted his attire. Once he was presentable, he reached out and knocked.

"Knock, knock, knock!"

"Come in!" Claire's voice came from inside.

Hant cautiously pushed open the conference room door. The first thing he saw upon entering was Claire, seated in the main seat.

The Lord seemed different today compared to yesterday, giving off a more profound, unfathomable aura.

Hant was unaware that Claire had already advanced to the rank of Intermediate Mage.

"Greetings, my Lord!" Hant performed a proper knight's salute.

"Sit," Claire gestured to a chair beside her.

Hant's heart leaped with joy, and he quickly sat down. Being offered a seat meant he held some importance in the Lord's eyes.

Claire got straight to the point, pushing a book towards Hant.

Hant's eyes flickered as he saw the title of the book: "Battle Qi Breathing Circulation Method!"

"What is this?" Hant had a vague suspicion.

"I researched this yesterday. See if it's useful," Claire attributed the origin of the cultivation technique to herself. Otherwise, she wouldn't be able to explain where the book came from. Moreover, all sorts of strange things would only appear more frequently in the future, so it was better to cultivate an image of herself as an omnipotent genius.

Hant reached for the book, contemplating what to say next to avoid embarrassing the Lord.

After all, Battle Qi, since its appearance, has been thoroughly researched. Even those at the Sword Saint level might not be able to offer any groundbreaking suggestions, let alone a Lord who hasn't cultivated Battle Qi.

However, as the Lord's loyal dog, even if it's utter nonsense, I have to find a way to praise it flowery!

With that thought, Hant opened the cover of the book. The texture of the cover was excellent, and it felt very good to rub his fingers against it.

Hant, who had originally only planned to skim through it, quickly read three or four pages and then suddenly trembled, as if shocked by something. He flipped the book back to the very first page and began to examine it carefully.

As he delved deeper into the reading, Hant's shock only grew, and the sound of his breathing became audible.

This, this, this... this is a completely new path! In the past, cultivating Battle Qi required continuously squeezing one's potential. At the limit, one could awaken Battle Qi by using a Battle Qi cultivation method.

But this book presented a different path: first, feel the meager Battle Qi within your body, then guide it according to the methods taught to nurture Battle Qi. Moreover, after cultivating Battle Qi, one could continue to circulate it along the Battle Qi circulation path described, continuously expanding their Battle Qi capacity and also recovering their internal Battle Qi faster.

This was the most miraculous part: increasing Battle Qi and physical fitness without life-or-death training. And this kind of Battle Qi circulation method was completely unknown in Hant's understanding!

Unconsciously, Hant became completely absorbed in the cultivation method described in the book, even starting to guide his Battle Qi to circulate within his body as if no one else was around.

Claire picked up the drink on the table and took a gentle sip. It seemed the foundational cultivation technique she had traded for was very useful, as Hant couldn't help but start cultivating on the spot.

But she didn't mind. When she saw the mental cultivation technique last night, she was in a similar state to him.

As Hant cultivated according to the method, an astonishing aura gradually emanated from him. The fewer pages there were, the more astonishing his aura became, until even the drink on Claire's table was trembling slightly, ripples appearing on the surface of the water.

After reading the last page, Hant closed his eyes and began to try circulating his Battle Qi through his body for one full cycle.

One cycle, two cycles, three cycles...

Hant's aura grew stronger and stronger. Finally, he suddenly opened his eyes, and his Battle Qi erupted like a monstrous wave crashing against a shore. The chair he was sitting on shattered into wood chips, which shot out in all directions.

Claire's eyes flashed slightly. She remained lying on the sofa without making any significant movements. With a gentle wave of her hand, a transparent wind shield appeared in front of her, blocking all the debris.

Hant looked at his body in disbelief, feeling the aura within him, his voice filled with excitement, "I... I've broken through to Silver Knight!"

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